ZPacks Pivot Solo Tent

Here’s a review of the Zpacks Pivot Solo by CleverHiker:

https://www.cleverhiker.com/backpacking/zpacks-pivot-solo-tent-review/

Interesting take on Reddit – https://old.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1jve52x/trouble_setting_up_zpacks_pivot_solo_w_taut_pitch/?context=1

Fundamental issue with this design is that the peak guy lines don’t diametrically oppose each other to generate opposing forces and result in a taut ridgeline that’s windworthy enough for my 3 season alpine use. I think this design compromise occurred because the co needed to hit certain weight targets. I returned mine with some constructive comments for hopefully a version 2.0. For example, if the head end wall were made a tad wider, the geometry would result in opposing guylines, but that would require more fabric and in turn result in greater weight. Sent the comments in pics below to co.

High level idea behind the Pivot Solo is awesome though. Spaciousness above the short pole footbox area is a huge positive: no more wet quilt footbox in the am. If Zpacks optimizes this design a bit more, I’d definitely buy again.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/1tdkPLj

Maybe you do a.bit of modifying to make the guy line directly opposed.

That makes sense you want that

Despite buying an offset solo last fall (just prior to becoming aware of the pivot solo, arghhh) I’ve gone ahead and bought a pivot solo as well. I like that I can bring along a 1 ounce 32″ tent pole for the short side as it provides some insurance in the event that I break a trekking pole.

However, using the tent pole instead of a trekking pole does seem to be at least slightly problematic because the tent pole doesn’t have a little basket like trekking poles do, so the tent pole doesn’t pin down the floor like a trekking pole does. When you put the tent pole in the hole meant to pin down the floor the floor just rides up the pole. Am I doing something wrong or is this just a drawback of using an actual tent pole with this tent instead of a trekking pole?

initially I was impressed with this tent’s design. I may still be. I thought the tent pole at the foot end might add some extra stability in high winds and rain. Now I wonder if the sole purpose isn’t to add some height at the foot end to avoid condensation to a sleeping bag. Nice idea, but condensation at the foot end has never been high on my list of problems. granted, in the Sierra I can generally air dry my bag and tent during breakfast. I take an hour long breakfast at least.

In short, the fiddle factor of an additional pole at the foot of the tent, coupled with an odd guy line set up, leaves me wondering about my initial impression. i prioritize storm worthiness, and I thought this tent might improve that over other designs.

Addressing John Brochu’s concern about using a tent pole on the shorter side of the tent. When I pitched it I didn’t even have  the rear tent pole pinned in the hole. I felt there was enough fabric to just avoid the hole altogether and place it on a solid portion of that fabric to hold the floor in place. I believe it’s really just to keep the floor from moving. I guess if worse comes to worse you can just drive a stake in it or a golf tee:)

@Jason – I didn’t even consider that I could just use a stake. I almost always carry two extra stakes (well extra in the sense that they can be used for the extreme weather guylines that I don’t always bother with) so that is pretty much a perfect solution 90 percent of the time. Thanks!

@John Brouchu

Despite buying an offset solo last fall (just prior to becoming aware of the pivot solo, arghhh) I’ve gone ahead and bought a pivot solo as well.

John, I messaged you about your offset solo but I don’t know if you’ve seen it.
While I think the Pivot Solo would work for me, I’d really like to try out the Offset Solo that Zpacks discontinued. If you think you might want to sell it just message me.

I just think having the third pole (1 oz) could be worth the interior space, elbow room as they say. Granted, a little more involved to set up.